I was inspired to watch the Academy Awards, in part because of co-host Wanda Sykes, who was paired with Amy Schumer, and Regina Hall. Sykes, 58, is a master of irreverence about herself. She is candid about her LGBTQ lifestyle, interracial marriage, the challenges of bringing up twins, prejudice in employment -- no topic is off-limits. Ms. Sykes kept me in stitches once again. I think Wanda Sykes could have handled the hosting job on her own, masterfully. 

There were some surprises at the Awards. People were kissing each other on the cheeks and not socially distancing at the Red Carpet preshow (something none of us would dare to do at the height of Covid infections). I didn't spot one mask in sight, not even among the more mature actors in the higher risk, over 65 age group. But it was a Hollywood comeback that had been much anticipated plus indoor/outdoor mask mandates have been dropped. However, I noticed that attendees were socially distanced at tables. 

The show was moving along just fine. So, what happened?  Comedian Chris Rock was about to present for Best Documentary. Rock, 57, has done standup for decades and he's funny. As the camera panned to the Smiths, Rock said, “Jada, I love you; G.I Jane 2, can’t wait to see it.” The crowd laughed heartily, and Ms. Smith forgivingly rolled her eyes. This was a reference to the 1997 G.I. Jane movie, where Demi Moore shaved her head as a military recruit. Will Smith's complete verbal response was censored. Then Smith suddenly ran on stage and slapped Rock in the face.

The beautiful actress wife of Smith, 50, has publicly talked about her hair loss. She attended the awards without a wig. Ms. Smith was diagnosed with alopecia. Shedding light on any medical condition is valuable: I respect Jada Pinkett Smith's commitment to honoring her true self. That is brave in the superficial world of Hollywood. According to the National Association of Alopecia, approximately 6.8 million people in the U.S. live with alopecia. A person has a two percent chance of developing the autoimmune condition over a lifespan. 

At first, I thought the slap was staged, but I don't think so now. Smith later won the Award for Best Actor for King Richard, about Venus and Serena Williams' father, who fiercely defended his family, ironically. Will Smith's emotions got the better of him. Rock is not pressing charges with LAPD. Smith, 53, tearfully apologized as he accepted for Best Actor. He explained he lost control and said,  "I’m being called on in my life to love people and to protect people.."

Was this a case of art imitating life? Smith had just portrayed the part of a protective father. I am a Will Smith fan. I do not condone violence, but this amounted to a case of a husband defending his longtime wife. Smith has time to reflect on his behavior and Rock will, too. Words matter -- but so do actions.